Article 370 has nothing to do with secularism: Jaitley

After seeking a debate on Article 370 that evoked sharp reactions from political parties, BJP today said the provision has nothing to do with secularism and is an instrument of "oppression" against Indian citizens.

To substantiate this, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley today cited the example of migrants from Pakistan who settled in Jammu and Kashmir at the time of Partition but have not been conferred the status of 'State subjects' and thus have no rights in the state they live in.

This, he said, is due to Article 35A which was notified by the President of India as an order and not a legislation pursuant to provisions of Article 370 (1)(d) of the Constitution.

"After a long time, Article 370 is being seriously debated in this country. An ill-informed debate had earlier linked the issue of Article 370 to a secular v/s non-secular debate. Article 370 has nothing to do with secularism. My own study on the subject has revealed a very interesting dimension as to how Article 370 can turn into an instrument of oppression and discrimination against Indian citizens," he wrote in an article.

"Should a provision like Article 35A which exists only because of Article 370 have place in any civilized society? It is oppressive against citizens of India. It is discriminatory and violative of fundamental rights. Article 35A was inserted in 1954. On a bare reading, it violates the basic structure of the Constitution. I wonder if its constitutional validity will be challenged at some point of time," Jaitley said.

He said such migrants though enjoying all other powers as Indian citizens like voting in national elections and owning of property in any part of India do not enjoy any of their rights in Jammu and Kashmir as they cannot vote or contest assembly, municipality or panchayats elections in the state and cannot get a job or acquire property within J&K.

He said the children of such persons are not entitled to admission to colleges as State subjects and cannot even get scholarship or any other type of aid from the State.